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Ageing research reviews2014; 20; 11-23; doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.12.002

A review of the equine age-related changes in the immune system: comparisons between human and equine aging, with focus on lung-specific immune-aging.

Abstract: The equine aging process involves many changes to the immune system that may be related to genetics, the level of nutrition, the environment and/or an underlying subclinical disease. Geriatric horses defined as horses above the age of 20, exhibit a decline in body condition, muscle tone and general well-being. It is not known whether these changes contribute to decreased immune function or are the result of declining immune function. Geriatric years are characterized by increased susceptibility to infections and a reduced antibody response to vaccination as a result of changes in the immune system. Humans and horses share many of these age-related changes, with only a few differences. Thus, inflamm-aging and immunosenescence are well-described phenomena in both human and equine research, particularly in relation to the peripheral blood and especially the T-cell compartment. However, the lung is faced with unique challenges because of its constant interaction with the external environment and thus may not share similarities to peripheral blood when considering age-related changes in immune function. Indeed, recent studies have shown discrepancies in cytokine mRNA and protein expression between the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage immune cells. These results provide important evidence that age-related immune changes or 'dys-functions' are organ-specific.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-09 PubMed ID: 25497559DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.12.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research discussed in this article focuses on the immune system changes seen in horses as they age, and compares these changes to similar processes in human aging. The article particularly explores age-related changes in immune function in the lungs.

Changes in the Equine Immune System with Age

  • The authors highlight that as horses age, significant shifts occur within their immune systems. These changes can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, nutrition, environmental conditions, and any underlying diseases.
  • Horses that are considered geriatric (over 20 years of age) often show a decline in body condition, muscle tone, and general health. The article notes that there remains uncertainty regarding whether these changes are a cause or effect of decreased immune function.
  • Like in many older humans, geriatric horses exhibit increased susceptibility to infections and display a weakened response to vaccination. These effects are primarily due to alterations within the immune system.

Inflamm-Aging and Immunosenescence

  • The phenomena of inflamm-aging (chronic low-grade inflammation with advancing age) and immunosenescence (gradual deterioration of the immune system with age) are discussed as common elements in both human and equine aging. These processes tend to be particularly apparent in relation to the peripheral blood and T-cell compartment of the immune system.

Lung-Specific Immune Aging

  • The article acknowledges the unique challenges faced by the lungs due to their constant interaction with the environment. As such, the lung’s aging and immune changes may differ from those of the peripheral blood.
  • Recent research has found discrepancies in the expression of cytokine mRNA and protein between the peripheral blood and the immune cells within the bronchoalveolar lavage (a washing process that gathers cells from the airspaces in the lungs).
  • This suggests that age-related immune changes, or ‘dysfunctions’, can be organ-specific and vary depending on the specific organ involved. Thus, the article reveals crucial insights into the study of immunology and aging, particularly in the context of lung function.

Cite This Article

APA
Hansen S, Baptiste KE, Fjeldborg J, Horohov DW. (2014). A review of the equine age-related changes in the immune system: comparisons between human and equine aging, with focus on lung-specific immune-aging. Ageing Res Rev, 20, 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2014.12.002

Publication

Ageing research reviews
ISSN: 1872-9649
NlmUniqueID: 101128963
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Pages: 11-23
PII: S1568-1637(14)00129-9

Researcher Affiliations

Hansen, S
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2630, Taastrup, Denmark. Electronic address: sannih@sund.ku.dk.
Baptiste, K E
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Danish Health and Medicines Authority, DK-2300, Copenhagen South, Denmark.
Fjeldborg, J
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Horohov, D W
  • Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging / immunology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Immune System / physiopathology
  • Immunity / physiology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Organ Specificity
  • Oxidative Stress / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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